My daughter accidentally discovered this drink, and we have been making them all during the Holiday Season. She took warm Sprite and poured it over ice in a clear glass and then slowly added refrigerated Cranenergy drink on top.

It is fun to drink because you gradually begin to taste the Sprite as you are drinking.

I can't help but reminisce when putting away the Christmas decorations each year.

This was given to me this year by a student. She made it with her Grandmother along with several other ornaments for my tree. One even has my initials. I can just imagine the fun they had making these together.

This Santa Christmas card holder was made by my very special Uncle. (I actually have his middle name.) His dear wife owned a ceramic shop, and in later years, he picked up her craft.

I actually made this set several years ago from Fimo clay. It has held up very well.

My daughter painted these this year at a Tour Through Bethlehem workshop.

I love these snowmen...hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. I may have to leave them out a little longer.

A dear community friend has her house filled with Santas each year. A few years back, she invited my children to come and see, and then she gave them each a Santa to take home for their tree. How sweet.

I was so proud to find this Nativity at our church's Fall Festival a few year's back. It is just like the one we had at our house when I was growing up.

And finally, my children's Kindergarten letters to Santa Claus. Oh my... how the time does go by.

Almost one year ago, we found ourselves in the same boat as many others of you...my husband's company downsized, and he was suddenly without a job. After much pacing, worrying, and praying, we decided he should open his own business.

He had seen these really cool machines that can cut down small trees and brush and instantly turn them into mulch. And so...

The next thing we know, he is driving to Texas by himself to purchase a Fecon Bullhog Machine.

The rest is history. We now have our own business.

This machine is really cool. Look what it can do.

BEFORE

AFTER

He made this four wheeler trail through the woods for our kids.

It is a really cool machine, and it is fun to watch it run.

You can have a grown up mess, and in no time, it is all shredded to mulch. The machine is small enough to fit between trees, so that bigger trees can be left in place.

We feel really blessed to have come up with this idea. Business was slow over the holidays, but now the phone is ringing again.

I decided to spend my Sunday afternoon crocheting this flapper beanie. I love this time of year, because I actually have a little time to do the things I enjoy. I am so glad I finished it... just in time to send with my "Sewing Sister" on her trip to visit her boys in Minnesota. She and her daughter are leaving today and driving.

We pray for them a safe and fun trip.

The cap is actually not for her boys, but it is for her newest granddaughter, who is not even a year old. We want to be sure her head stays warm in all that cold and snow.

Each Sunday, I will recommend a book that my Sixth Graders and I have really enjoyed.

Today's book pick is The Miraculous Journey of EdwardTulane by Kate DiCamillo. I love this book! It is a wonderful book to read aloud to your classroom or your child. I just finished reading it to my class before the Christmas break. We read 2 or 3 chapters each day, and I would dramatically close the book with them begging for more.

Kate Dicamillo also wrote The Tale of Despereaux which most of you are probably familiar with as the movie. It is also a great book to read. It reads really fast.

I have purchased for my 11 year old daughter a new Kate Dicamillo book called The Magician's Elephant . We are reading a chapter each night together, and I believe it is going to be another good book.

Merry Christmas to all. We have had a wonderful two days of celebrating. We spent Christmas Eve at my Lynchburg Sister's home. The highlight of the evening was the new ping pong table, which almost overtook the yearly competition of the men playing Risk. The food was wonderful, and we enjoyed seeing each other as much as ever. We did miss our Minnesota and Wyoming relatives...who are continuing to enjoy a nice snow!!!

My Lynchburg Sister's home is so beautiful during the holidays. I thought I would share some pictures from her home as I talk about our Christmas. She has such a nack for decorating and making her home seem so warm and inviting.

Our eleven year old daughter chose to wake us up at 3:00 this morning to open presents. Our fifteen year old son just happened to be awake, too (with a little help from his sister), so once again our little family celebrated Christmas during the wee hours of the morning.

We then traveled to my Dependable Sister's home for a big family breakfast. A tradition we have celebrated for years that just can't be broken. (Gotcha). My daughter made up for her early morning rise when she sang "Oh Beautiful Star of Bethlehem" with my husband and the guitar. Do we remember the true meaning of Christmas??? I believe we do.

We then traveled to spend lunch time with my husband's family. Can I say that there is not a better Christmas dinner anywhere else in the world? The best dressing, giblet gravey, mashed potatoes, corn, slaw, green bean casserole, pistachio pudding, rolls, and ham you could ever eat.

And now we are back home...very tired...very satisfied...playing with presents...counting our blessings...feeling very loved...watching the Christmas Story...realizing our dog Annie is 70 years old today (in dog years)...looking forward to next year.

At our house, nothing goes to waste. Remember the good stuff that we scooped from the oranges yesterday. We used it to make a lovely fruit salad. We just removed the skin and added some apples and grapes. Delicious and nutritious.

A few weeks ago, my husband (who just happens to be in the Land Clearing Business) decided to do a little selective clearing in the Big Woods. When he finished, we noticed this cedar tree seemed to stand out in the clearing with light shining on it. Hence, we named it our "Hallelujah Tree". Today, my daughter and I decided to decorate the little tree for the birds. So, today has been a fun day!!! First, she used cookie cutters to cut Christmas shapes from some stale bread. She then coated each shape with a mixture of peanut butter and Crisco. After tying a ribbon in the top, she dipped each shape in bird seed ... andPresto...a beautiful treat for a lucky bird.Next, we cut oranges in half and hollowed out the good stuff.

Carefully, I punched a hole in each side with a screwdriver, so that a ribbon could be added.

Now we have a neat basket to hold more bird seed.

This ornament is a pinecone covered in peanut butter, crisco, and bird seed.

I happen to be one of the few teachers who still believes strongly in Accelerated Reading. We encourage our students to read for rewards rather than grades...so they learn to love reading. Picking out a book is like choosing a movie at the video store. You'll get a better movie if you choose one a friend has already seen and recommended to you.And soWe beginSUNDAY FUN READEach Sunday, I will recommend a book that my Sixth Graders and I have really enjoyed.We will begin today with one of my very favorites...Chasing Redbird by Sharon CreechThis is a book you cannot put down because each chapter leaves you wanting to read the next. And, you won't be able to figure out the ending...it is nothing you would ever think of.I hope you enjoy my first book recommendation!!!!!

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About Me

I am a wife, mother of two, mother-in-law to one and a Sixth Grade teacher. I love looking for new ideas and sharing them with others. You can find me shopping for bargains, working late at school, participating in activities at my church, cooking for my family, and gardening in the shade. Welcome to the Big Woods!